Chapter 189


    Cindy had dropped off the invitation earlier, and the butler had reminded Arielle several times about the


    party after that. It was utterly coincidental that Yvette’s birthday party fell on the following day.


    Arielle was sure that it was a trapid for her.


    She had resolved to not only avoid it but to retaliate instead.


    If Arielle missed this opportunity, she did not know when the next one would arise or if she would even


    be able toe by one. This was her best shot to clear the obstacles in her way.


    Arielle thought about it and immediately dialed Vinson’s number on her phone.


    Vinson answered almost immediately. “What’s ?”


    Arielle replied frankly, “I have a birthday party to attend tomorrow, so I don’t think I can join you at the


    banquet. I’m sorry.”


    Vinson contemted this for a moment, then asked, “What time is the birthday party?”


    Arielle nced down at the invitation in her hand. “Seven.”


    Unfazed, Vinson replied, “That’s perfect. The banquet I want to bring you along for is at four in the


    afternoon. I can apany you to the birthday party after that.”


    “Wouldn’t that be too much of a rush? Why don’t you find another girl to go with you?” Arielle


    stammered.


    Vinson replied persuasively. “I’ve already gotten someone to tailor the gown to your measurements. It’ll


    be toote to ask someone else


    Why don’t youe with me, and then I’ll keep youpany at the birthday party after that?”


    Vinson was afraid that Arielle would refuse, so he hastily added, “You did promise me, after all. Take it


    as repayment for what I did to get the diary for you.”


    At the thought of how Vinson had risked his life for the diary, Arielle felt it was impossible to reject


    Vinson. Clenching her jaw, Arielle agreed reluctantly, “All right.”


    “I’ll send a car over to pick you up at three in the afternoon tomorrow then,” Vinson said cheerfully. “OK”


    Arielle replied. She suddenly remembered her conversation with Susanne a few hours ago,


    and began, “Tonight…”


    Arielle abruptly trailed off, deciding that it was of no further use to recount the conversation to Vinson.


    They had rified matters between them, after all.


    At the other end of the line, Vinson sensed Arielle’s hesitation. “What happened tonight?” he asked.


    Arielle shook her head instinctively, then realized that Vinson could not see her. “It’s nothing. I’m a little


    tired tonight, so I’ll hang up first. Try to get an early night as well.”


    “Sure, goodnight,” Vinson said tenderly. There was more like a note of affection in his voice.


    Arielle found herself panicking slightly but steadied herself and grunted a reply. She then hung up


    immediately.


    Arielle sat down on a chair, feeling upset. The image of Susanne leading that girl into the private room


    Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g


    to have a cup of coffee together stirred up a vague feeling of discontent in Arielle.


    “Forget it!” Arielle told herself firmly, forcing her mind not to dwell on the meeting that had happened


    that night. After washing up, shey in her bed, anticipating the trap that Cindy must have designed for


    her.


    Since Arielle believed that the trap lying ahead of her was at Yvette’s birthday party, Cindy and Yvette


    must naturally be conspiring with each other.


    Yvette…She didn’t even hesitate tomand her dog to bite me! It looks like she’s still looking to draw


    blood.


    Arielle shut her eyes. As she let her thoughts wander, a clever n suddenly struck Arielle like a bolt


    out of the blue.


    Pleased with the ingenuity of the n, Arielle fell asleep to the luby of the gentle breeze blowing in


    from the window.


    The next day when she awoke, Arielle bumped into Henrick first thing in the morning.


    Henrick had risen early in preparation to head to the office. Poring over the ountsst night had left


    Henrick satisfied with the returns, and he strode down the stairs with a beam on his face.


    At the sight of Arielle, Henrick smiled fondly, then asked, “You’re up early. Why not sleep in a little


    longer?”


    Arielle shed him a bright smile. “I had an early night, and I’m well-rested. Dad, there’s something I’d


    like to discuss with you.”


    Jovially, Henrick replied, “What is it? I’ll do whatever I can help you with!”